28 - A Farewell to Mr. Luo

Bai Fan looked around at the surrounding lava, feeling an intense thirst in her throat. The protective barrier of the Water-Repelling Pearl performed beyond expectations at this moment. It typically only repelled water, but now it was also repelling lava. It must be because both are liquids. "We need to move quickly. This Water-Repelling Pearl seems to be failing." He Yi Man spoke these dreadful words with a tone of indifference. Bai Fan felt her life was hanging by a thread, allowing He Yi Man to carry her here and there. This was thanks to Bai Fan's short stature; otherwise, He Yi Man wouldn't have been able to carry an adult with one arm so easily. The magma was overflowing within the volcano, collapsing the original terrain. Finding a way out now was a matter of luck. Outside, the thief sensed something was wrong upon hearing the rumbling sounds, and quickly ran away. The ground shook, and the volcano abruptly erupted. Massive amounts of lava surged forth, black smoke billowing skyward, and ash fell like snowflakes, setting the gas-filled forest ablaze in an instant. The thief was terrified, thinking his boss might be dead or alive at the crater's edge. With a survival instinct overriding any thought of rescue, he scrambled for safety along with other escaping animals. Eventually, exhausted and panting heavily, he lay down on the ground. The smoke choked his throat, and he realized that breathing deeply meant a quicker death, so he held his breath. In his moment of despair, a few wild boars ran past him like they were fleeing a disaster. Without thinking, he clambered onto the back of one of the boars. He wrapped his arms around the boar's neck and clamped his legs around its belly. Though the boar's smell was suffocating, it was his only chance of survival. The wild boar took off in a mad dash, moving like a belated potential stock, fleeing at full speed with the thief clinging to it. Its ears flapped up and down, much like two whips. This was a race against life and death. Inside the volcano, Bai Fan and He Yi Man were still searching for an exit. The surrounding lava was so disorienting it could make anyone lose their sense of direction. The Water-Repelling Pearl's protective barrier, initially a light blue hue, was growing fainter as the pearl itself lost its luster. Witnessing all this, Bai Fan could only grip the Transmitting Shell tightly. Within it, she heard Huo Qilin’s voice. "Still alive, huh?" Huo Qilin's words made Bai Fan think that no one in the world could be a worse mentor. "I’m trapped in the lava, and I can't get out." This was the first time He Yi Man had heard a shell speak, and she couldn't help but glance down at it. Given her experiences at the Mayfly Palace, she wasn’t particularly shocked. "Well, I can’t help you." Although Huo Qilin was not afraid of lava, it was stuck at the Ten-Thousand Peak Platform and couldn't go anywhere. Seeing that the barrier was about to break, He Yi Man remained extraordinarily calm, steadfastly heading in one direction. Bai Fan began imagining the gruesome scenes of her possible death—would her head melt first, or her limbs, or would she catch fire and slowly turn to char and ash? Just before the barrier broke, He Yi Man finally led Bai Fan out of the lava. The Water-Repelling Pearl valiantly gave out, the barrier evaporating like melted snow, and the pearl in He Yi Man’s hand cracked. Bai Fan felt incredulous; they had actually made it out. But the environment outside wasn't much better—chaotic rocks everywhere, lava still spewing, and the Earth Dragon long gone. When her feet finally touched solid ground, Bai Fan felt reassured. She saw He Yi Man shake her tired hand and said, "Let’s go this way. The other path is likely blocked by lava and water." "Oh, okay." Bai Fan quickly followed. Lava flowed everywhere, the ground like fractured, lifeless earth. This scene made Bai Fan tremble, and she almost tripped and fell badly at one point, stubbing her toe painfully on a rock. Her big toe, sensitive and equivalent to her tail's tip, throbbed in pain. The object that nearly tripped her was a glowing red rock, but it seemed less rounded and more like a chunk of red crystal. Curious, Bai Fan knelt down and tried to dig out the rock. It wasn't tightly wedged and came out with a gentle pull. He Yi Man turned and called, "What are you doing?" "Nothing, nothing. I just stubbed my toe, so I was rubbing it." Bai Fan discreetly slipped the red crystal into her storage bag. Her habit of collecting random things might have been picked up from her time with the thief. "Hurry up. This place might collapse soon as well." "Okay, right away." Bai Fan jogged to keep up. When they emerged, they found the forest utterly scorched, black ash filling the sky. He Yi Man retrieved a flute, which Bai Fan immediately noticed. “She changed her flute; now it’s green,” she thought. "Hold onto my waist." "Ah?" "There will be a second eruption soon, so stop dawdling." Bai Fan obediently wrapped her arms around He Yi Man's waist. The fabric was soft, and she could feel the warmth of the person underneath. She thought, "So this is what a person's waist feels like." With a flute's note rising like the cry of a crane, the spiritual energy in the air gathered like marionette strings, lifting them both into the sky. In the air, Bai Fan felt as though she was floating, her feet unable to touch solid ground. Clinging to He Yi Man instinctively, she buried her face closer and caught a faint, warm scent, like the fragrance of flowers. Bai Fan sniffed a few more times and looked up to make sure He Yi Man hadn't noticed, then felt relieved. Once they were away from the volcanic eruption, He Yi Man put Bai Fan down. Watching He Yi Man hold the green flute, Bai Fan considered returning it. But fearing her identity would be discovered, she squashed the idea and simply thanked her. "Thank you for saving me." He Yi Man gave a faint nod as if it were no big deal, then turned and flew off. The flute’s sweet and melancholic melody lingered even after she had flown far away. Bai Fan admired He Yi Man’s abilities with a tinge of jealousy, thinking how someone ordinary could achieve so much. "I must work hard in my cultivation." Turning to leave, Bai Fan suddenly paused mid-step. She seemed to have forgotten something. Glancing at the still-erupting volcano, she remembered the thief she had left behind. "With so much lava, he’s probably dead by now. If I’d known, I would have let him go earlier." Bai Fan believed that everyone had their fate. If he was still alive, then he was free. If dead, she hoped he’d have a better life in his next reincarnation. Not long after Bai Fan left, disciples from various sects arrived, seemingly in search of something. Several Pure Yang Sect disciples flew on their swords around the volcano, finding nothing by nightfall. "No trace of the Fire Essence." "Nothing on my side either." "Same here." The lead disciple from Pure Yang Sect frowned at the desolation before him. The Fire Essence, a crystal core from the Earth Dragon, contained potent true fire energy. Adding even a small amount to a pill could significantly enhance its quality, making it highly valuable for alchemy. Major sects often kept several Earth Dragons. The day before, they’d inspected and found the Earth Dragon relatively calm. Who would've thought it would self-destruct right after they left, causing the volcano to erupt and the Fire Essence to vanish. Such a loss would surely draw the elders' ire. One particularly unlucky disciple felt his misfortune piling up: losing his storage bag at the Ascension Meeting and now witnessing this catastrophe during an inspection. From a distance, Bai Zhi, accompanied by several Mayfly Palace members, approached, including a middle-aged woman—He Yi Man's mentor. Having learned that He Yi Man was trapped in the volcanic lava, she hastily brought her disciples to launch a rescue. As they arrived, they ran into disciples from Pure Yang Sect. Pure Yang Sect and Mayfly Palace were polar opposites. One admitted only male disciples, the other only female, and they never interacted. Meeting each other always ignited old grudges. "Mayfly Palace? What are you doing here? What business do you have in this place?" He Yi Man’s mentor was consumed with worry for her disciple, and she coldly regarded the Pure Yang Sect's Foundation Establishment disciples. Without further delay, she led her group flying directly into the volcano's crater. The anxious Pure Yang Sect disciples couldn't believe what was happening. How could someone just invade their territory like that? "Mayfly Palace, what exactly are you up to? This is our Pure Yang Sect's domain." Bai Zhi turned and shouted at the Foundation Establishment disciples, "Shut up! We're here to find my senior sister." The young girl felt deeply guilty. If it hadn't been for her begging Sister Yi Man to come here to see the hot springs, they wouldn't have encountered the volcanic eruption, and her senior sister wouldn't have fallen into the lava. After searching inside the volcano for a long time without finding any sign of He Yi Man, Bai Zhi felt increasingly like crying. Meanwhile, the disciples of Pure Yang Sect suspected that the loss of the Fire Essence was somehow linked to Mayfly Palace. However, because of the high-ranking cultivators present, they didn't dare approach and quickly returned to report to their sect. Having left, Bai Fan dug a cave, intending to enter a long period of seclusion. She hung the Transmitting Shell around her neck. Looking at the cave she had dug, Bai Fan marveled that her digging skills were still as good as ever. She crawled into the cave and sealed the entrance tightly. Settling herself, Bai Fan began to meditate. However, before she started, she took out a small bottle containing Cultivation Enhancement Pills. Bai Fan's initial transformation had been thanks to these pills, which contained a tremendous amount of spiritual energy. She was confident that she would gain significant benefits from this period of seclusion. Pouring all the Cultivation Enhancement Pills into her palm, she inhaled their scent deeply. The smell was exactly like the one Yin Yao had given her. Opening her small mouth, she swallowed all of them at once, as though eating candy beads. There were seven or eight pills, making her cheeks bulge. After swallowing, she smacked her lips, still wanting more. The enormous influx of spiritual energy came quickly. Soon, Bai Fan was meditating, and the pills were swiftly digested. The immense spiritual energy surged through her body. With her prior experience, Bai Fan was well-prepared this time; her meridians were fully developed, and her four dragon tendons were extraordinarily strong, unyielding despite the rush of spiritual energy, and certainly unbreakable. With winter approaching and Bai Fan’s snake instincts urging her towards hibernation, outside the cave snow fell heavily. The previously scorched volcanic area was covered in white snow. Though Bai Fan fell into a deep sleep, her body’s internal meridians continued to circulate, slowly converting the spiritual energy into spiritual power, which accumulated within her. As the water level rises with the tide, after months of hibernation Bai Fan advanced from the fourth to the ninth level. This period of seclusion was perhaps the most fruitful ever. While she slept, the metamorphosis techniques within her were particularly active, like a small team of genetic re-engineers gradually transforming her from the inside out. When she woke up, she found herself back in her original snake form, her large body feeling cramped in the cave, unable to even stretch. Wriggling her way out of the cave, a cold wind made her shiver. Looking at the snowy landscape, she thought she had slept for quite a while, but waking hadn't come at the best time. "It feels like I woke up too early. I’m so hungry." Having not eaten for months, Bai Fan’s stomach felt like it was stuck to her spine. In this weather, she had no idea where to find food. The world was frozen, desolate, and uninhabited. Struggling through the snow, her white body blended perfectly with the snowy surroundings, and only up close could one see the trail of a large white snake winding through the snow. Desperate for food, Bai Fan resorted to eating bites of snow, but it froze in her mouth, leaving her even without water to drink. Reaching the ninth level of her training, she was just one step away from establishing her foundation. However, lacking that final step, she still needed to eat. Lifting her snake head, she looked at the gray sky, feeling another snowstorm brewing. She felt chilled to the bone but then caught the scent of rice and instantly perked up. "There’s a household." Quickly transforming back into her human form, she trudged through the snow toward the scent. The snowfall intensified, blurring Bai Fan’s vision. She saw what seemed to be a house in the distance, with smoke rising from it. The snow was so deep it reached her knees. Being in the south, the winter was wet and cold, chilling her to the bone. Step by step, she approached the dark silhouette, eventually realizing it was a small temple. Shivering, Bai Fan stood at the door. Her small feet were red and frozen, her eyelashes covered with icy clumps. She clenched her fists and knocked on the door. "Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang." Hurried footsteps approached from inside, and Bai Fan blew on her hands for warmth, rubbing her feet together frantically. With a creak, a little monk opened the door. His nose was also red with the cold, but he didn't seem bothered by it, his shaved head uncovered but with a scarf around his neck. "Are you here to seek shelter from the wind and snow?" Bai Fan nodded, her teeth chattering so much she could barely speak. Following the little monk into the temple, the fierce wind and snow were quickly shut out. Inside was a courtyard with a thick layer of snow. Upon opening another door, warm air rushed out, making Bai Fan feel like her frozen face was finally thawing. "Master, this female benefactor has come to take shelter from the wind and snow." Inside sat an elderly monk, meditating on a mat with his eyes closed, a charcoal brazier in the center of the room, and a black-clad figure sitting nearby, shrouded in darkness, obscuring their features. "Young lady, come in and warm yourself." Without opening his eyes, the old monk spoke. Bai Fan found it magical that he could tell she was female. Warming herself by the brazier, Bai Fan rubbed her hands together and thanked the monk. "Thank you, Elder." The old monk nodded slightly, then resumed his meditation. Once she was warmed up, Bai Fan took a curious glance at the black-clad figure beside her. The oddity of their outfit made her wonder about how they looked; she tilted her head for a better view. To her surprise, the person flinched and scooted away. Watching the movements and the posture, Bai Fan felt a sense of familiarity. With her nose now defrosted, she took a sniff, and the scent brought recognition—it was the thief she had presumed dead in the volcanic eruption. What could have caused him to wrap himself up like this unless he feared she might capture him again? Bai Fan, believing in fate’s mysterious ways, thought this meeting was destined, as mentioned in Buddhist teachings. She reached out to remove his disguise. The black-clad figure froze, and, finally, her tug revealed his face. It wasn’t a familiar face anymore; rather, it was a burnt, deformed visage, with only the misaligned teeth reminding her of who he was. "What happened to you?" The thief clutched his face and exclaimed, "Boss!" "I thought you were dead." Bai Fan found his face now truly difficult to look at, even more so than before. The thief explained what had happened. After fleeing on the pig, his face was burned in the resulting fires. He collapsed on the road and was rescued by the monks of this temple, where he had stayed ever since. Bai Fan sympathetically patted his shoulder, "Don't worry, even if you’ve become uglier, I won’t abandon you." "Boss..." The thief wiped his tears, moved that his boss could still speak such words at this time. Just then, the door opened, and the little monk brought in some hot food. Bai Fan, initially concerned for the thief, instantly forgot about him at the sight of the steaming dishes. "Benefactor, please eat." Happily accepting the food, Bai Fan thanked the little monk, finding him utterly adorable, and began gobbling down the meal, marveling at how delicious rice could be. After finishing, she carefully bowed to the old monk, thinking, "The monks here are truly kind." Bai Fan stayed in the temple for over half a month until the storm passed. In gratitude, she left a vital energy pill from her storage bag on a small table before quietly leaving with the thief. The thief insisted on wearing his black clothing, no matter how much Bai Fan tried to convince him otherwise. At night, the two sat under a tree. The thief dutifully roasted a few sweet potatoes, while Bai Fan sat next to him, meditating. By this point, Bai Fan had reached the ninth level of Qi Refinement, just one step away from Foundation Establishment. But figuring out how to take that step was proving to be a difficult problem, as there were no instructions in the books she had read. Her accumulated spiritual power was already at its peak. No matter how much Bai Fan tried to circulate it, the excess would always seep out through her skin. Frustrated with her unproductive cultivation, Bai Fan abruptly stood up and said to the thief, "I'm going out to clear my mind. Stay safe." "Boss, do you want a sweet potato?" the thief asked, extending one to her. The aroma of the roasted sweet potato immediately filled Bai Fan’s nostrils. She took it and bit into it. The hot, soft sweetness melted in her mouth, tasting absolutely delicious. "Hmm, not bad," she said, munching on the sweet potato as she walked toward the mountain top. The barren rocks had not a single tree in sight. The cold moonlight bathed her. Once she finished the sweet potato, Bai Fan licked her fingers, savoring the remaining taste. Seeing the moonlight brought memories of her time in the mountains. Back then, she hung from an osmanthus tree, absorbing the moon's essence for her cultivation. That was over thirty years ago. Time had flowed like water; Daoist Wang Yue had been dead for years, and Yin Yao had grown and taken root in Qingxu Sect. Reviewing her past, there were only a few significant events, and she had managed to let go of most of them. Deep down, what she struggled the most to release was her former human identity. She had descended from the mountains to meet people, and though they saw her as a monster, she desperately wished to be human. This was why she chose the path of Tao rather than that of a demon. She wanted to become a person, not a monster. The more she pondered, the more this desire intensified. Eventually, she closed her eyes and felt the dragon’s core (jiao dan) within her calling out. Entering a dreamscape, she found herself amidst a fierce wind, mirroring her tumultuous inner state. She felt an intense longing, like the wild grasses of spring, growing uncontrollably. A deafening roar escaped her. Bai Fan transformed into a snake and plunged into the dragon core. The mysterious thing she had always tried to grasp became clear. She swung her tail, her body coiling thrice, exhibiting the majesty of a dragon-serpent. The mist within the dragon core rose and swirled around her, creating an almost surreal sight. Suddenly, thunder roared in the previously clear night sky, which now turned dark. It was as if a storm was about to strike. The thief, sitting by the fire, was frightened by the sudden change and hid under a nearby rock. Within the dragon core, Bai Fan knew that her tribulation was drawing near. Indeed, an inverse path towards Foundation Establishment would always attract lightning. As soon as she began to establish her foundation, the heavens responded with thunderbolts. Instantly reverting to her original form, she faced the heavenly lightning just like the black snake she once was. --- Thank you to everyone who cast votes or watered with nutrition fluids~ Special thanks to the angels who watered [with nutrition fluids]: Xiao Tai 2 bottles; Liang Yu 1 bottle; I am deeply grateful for your support. I will continue to work hard!